By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has officially received the governor of Akwa Ibom, Pastor Umo Eno, into the All Progressives Congress, APC, fold, describing the political moves as a bold and courageous movement that has marked the beginning of progress, renewed hope and a new dawn for Akwa Ibom people.
At the epoch-making event, which took place at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Tinubu was represented by the vice president, Senator Kashim Shettima, with the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, members of the National Assembly, National Working Committee of APC led by its chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, South South APC Governors’ Forum led by its coordinating governor and governor of Cross River, Senator Bassey Otu, governors of Ondo, Lagos, Kwara, Kebbi, Kogi, Edo, Gombe, Imo and Sokoto States, amongst others, in attendance .
Tinubu assured Governor Eno that his bold move to the APC would not be regretted, as the Progressives Family was the governor’s new home.
While expressing his deep admiration for the governor’s leadership style, the president noted that the APC, being a progressive party will collaborate with the state to ensure that the people of Akwa Ibom enjoy the dividend of democracy.
He noted that the APC was a party which believes in building bridges not walls and a party that fully understands and believes that a political party was more than a slogan on a banner but about its people, what they stand for and what they believe in.
The Senate President, Akpabio, said he was excited to witness such historic event in the state, describing the move as not just a defection but a movement, and the event not merely a reception for the governor but a reunification of Akwa Ibom people made possible by the wise decision of the governor.
Akpabio assured Eno of the full support of the APC and that of the people of the state, adding that his new family, the APC, would never deceive or abandon him but will grant even more than what he has requested beginning with the Ibom Deep Seaport project.
Officially welcoming the governor into APC, Akpabio noted that Eno’s decision was not just a political movement but a political maturity and a testament of statesmanship, applauding Eno for placing the unity and progress of Akwa Ibom people over party lines and sentiment and choosing partnership over partisanship.
The Senate President assured that Akwa Ibom would be given its rightful place in the national equation, adding that Tinubu was ready to not only collaborate with the state but also deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda to the people as the state forges ahead towards the path of progress.
The Senate President noted that the event was not just the reception of the governor but a reunification of Akwa Ibom with Nigeria made possible by Eno whom, he described as a man of his words and integrity.
According to him, “what is happening today in the State is not a political movement but a political maturity. Not just a generational responsibility but a language of statesmanship, adding that “because you have been faithful in the little entrusted to you, your step is ordered by God. You have placed the unity and progress of Akwa Ibom above party lines. You have chosen partnership over partisanship”.
National chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, thanked Akwa Ibom people for coming out enmasse to support not only the governor but President Tinubu and the APC.
Ganduje, while congratulating Eno on his strategic move, lauded his ARISE Agenda initiative, describing him as a wise leader who chooses national unity and prosperity over national isolation.
Handing over the APC’s brand, the broom, to Eno, Ganduje described the brand as a symbol of unity, peace and progress of the party and declared him leader of the APC in Akwa Ibom.
The chairman, Progressive Governors Forum and governor of Imo, Senator Hope Uzodinmma, said the APC was honoured to see such a great crowd coming out enmasse to support the governor, attributing it to the massive acceptance of APC by Akwa Ibom citizens both at home and in the Diaspora.
Uzodinmma said the state’s decision to join the moving train was not only strategic but wise and encouraged the Governor to continue with his impeccable governing style that has brought about a united and progressive Akwa Ibom.
The chairman of APC in the State, Mr Stephen Ntukekpo, noted that the strategic move of the governor to the party, though unprecedented, was historic and signified a new dawn in the state.
Ntukekpo described the governor as a man of purpose, adding that his bold and courageous move signifies his commitment to development and governance as well as his readiness to collaborate with the centre.
He noted that the alignment of the state with the APC, symbolized the beginning of greater investment, progress and growth for the state.
The Akwa Ibom governor, Eno, described his bold and unprecedented movement to the APC as not just an uncommon movement but a progressive one predicated on an enlightened state interest to align the state with the centre and the collective interest of the people which he considered paramount.
He appreciated Akwa Ibom people for supporting his decision and members of the APC for surrounding and honouring him, assuring that he will remain governor to all Akwa Ibomites irrespective of political differences and opinions surrounding his movement.
Eno recalled that the state has, for over 30 years, struggled to have a deep sea port, adding that President Tinubu has assured Akwa Ibomites that with his strategic alignment with the Federal Government the Ibom Deep Seaport will be realised.
The governor said with his ARISE Agenda governance blueprint, his administration is determined to expand the layers of development which, according to him, is what the progressive movement seeks and consolidates.
He acknowledged with appreciation, the contributions of past leaders of the State from Obong Victor Attah to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Mr Udom Emmanuel who he noted, all made contributive effort to get the state to its current position.
Eno appreciated the President for His liberal funding of the State, acknowledging the funding has enabled the government to finance various projects spread across the state from the seashore of Oron to the mountains of Ini without borrowing from any bank, assuring Akwa Ibomites that his choice to move to the APC, though not accepted by all, will change the future of the State as enshrined in the state anthem “forward ever, backward never.”
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